The Varmint Rifle is the ideal weapon for hunting beavers in Red Dead Redemption 2, particularly when aiming for a perfect pelt.
Optimal Weapon Choice for Beavers
When hunting beavers in Red Dead Redemption 2, especially if your goal is to obtain a pristine, perfect pelt, the Varmint Rifle stands out as the superior choice. This specific rifle is designed for hunting smaller game, ensuring minimal damage to the animal's hide.
Why the Varmint Rifle is Recommended
The Varmint Rifle's effectiveness for hunting beavers stems from its unique characteristics:
- Low Damage Output: Unlike high-powered rifles or shotguns, the Varmint Rifle inflicts just enough damage to kill smaller animals without destroying their pelts. This is crucial for maintaining a perfect pelt rating.
- Pelt Preservation: Using an overpowered weapon on a small animal like a beaver will almost always result in a "poor" or "damaged" pelt, making it useless for crafting high-tier items. The Varmint Rifle's caliber is perfectly suited to preserve the quality.
- Accuracy: It offers good accuracy, allowing players to target critical spots for a clean kill.
Hunting Tips for Perfect Beaver Pelts
To ensure you secure a perfect beaver pelt using your Varmint Rifle, consider these practical hunting tips:
- Scout for 3-Star Beavers: Before engaging, use your binoculars or focus ability (L2/LT + R1/RB) to inspect the beaver. Only target beavers marked with three stars (perfect quality) to begin with.
- Aim for the Head: A precise shot to the head or other vital organs is essential for an instantaneous, clean kill, which contributes significantly to pelt quality.
- Approach Stealthily: Beavers are easily spooked. Crouch and move slowly, or use cover, to get within optimal range without alerting them.
- Single Shot: A single, well-placed shot from the Varmint Rifle is usually sufficient to down a beaver cleanly. Firing multiple shots can degrade pelt quality.
Here's a quick reference for beaver hunting:
| Animal | Recommended Weapon | Ideal Shot | Pelt Quality Goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beaver | Varmint Rifle | Head | Perfect (3-Star) |
Where to Find Beavers
Beavers are commonly found near water sources across the Red Dead Redemption 2 map. Prime locations include:
- O'Creagh's Run: In the Grizzlies East region.
- Elysian Pool: Also in Grizzlies East, near the waterfall.
- Along the Kamassa River: Throughout different sections of the river, particularly north of Van Horn Trading Post.
Importance of Perfect Pelts
Perfect beaver pelts are highly sought after by players for several reasons:
- Crafting: They are a key component for crafting various items at the Trapper, including unique outfits, satchels, and equipment upgrades.
- Challenges: Some in-game challenges require delivering a certain number of perfect pelts.
- Sale Value: Perfect pelts fetch the highest price from butchers and traders, offering a good source of income early in the game.
